Noun:
1a : an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger b (1) : an instance of this emotion (2) : a state marked by this emotion
2: anxious concern : solicitude
3: profound reverence and awe especially toward God
4: reason for alarm : danger
And
Verb:
transitive verb
1archaic : frighten
2archaic : to feel fear in (oneself)
3: to have a reverential awe of
4: to be afraid of : expect with alarm
intransitive verb
: to be afraid or apprehensive
Fear can be 'rational' or 'irrational' and my reaction to "Fear" in both the noun and verb form can be similarly categorized.
Fear can do the following:
1. Motivate me to overcome the fear
2. Paralyze me in response to the fear
3. Control and dominate nearly every thought with fear
4. Initiate a retreat in reaction to the fear
I've recently taken a baby step in 'overcoming' a fear of Algebra by taking a placement test. In the grand scheme of things it is a ridiculous fear, but I literally used a fear of failing to put on hold something that I could have accomplished years ago. I'll categorize that as an 'irrational' reaction to FEAR.
But there are other fears - anxious concerns and apprehensions - that I still need to contend with that loom larger than scrambled letters and numbers on a page.
I've determined that my reaction to these fears should be to first analyze the "things" being feared.
1. Is it a situation in which I have any control? Are there steps I can take to alter the perceived outcome?
If yes, use the fear (anxiety, concern) to put together an action plan and take one step at a time toward change.
2. Is it an event that is impending but one which I really have no way to change? If yes, use fear as a reminder that God holds our future in His hand and He already knows the outcome. Change from being controlled by fear to a position of power and peace through prayer and trust in the hand of God to lead and guide when the future is unclear.
The "FEAR Factor" is definitely real. We all face daunting giants in our lives -some of us on a daily basis. May we be like David and use one stone and a reliance and profound reverence and awe toward God to face our fears and overcome them.
